Luggage sliders

ABSTRACT

The luggage sliders include various embodiments for permanent or removable installation upon the underside of a roll-around suitcase, wheeled cart, or similar article to facilitate movement of the article up a flight of stairs or other stepped inclined surface. Some of the sliders are pivotally extendible and retractable. Others are telescopically extendible and retractable. Still others are pivotally attached to one edge of the article, and pivotally fold against a surface of the article for storage. Still others may be adjustably clamped about the base of the article. Still others are pivotally attached about a wheel axle to rotate and lie beneath the wheel for operation. Still others may be removably attached directly to the wheels of the luggage, cart, or other wheeled article. Still others are pivotally attached to a point on the luggage and telescopically extend to project below the wheel for use.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to devices for moving objects,and particularly to luggage sliders that may be removably or permanentlyinstalled upon luggage or the like to facilitate movement of the luggageup a flight of stairs or other stepped incline.

2. Description of the Related Art

Suitcases, trunks, and similar luggage and baggage have been known forquite some time. Most such luggage is sized for reasonably convenientcarriage by hand, but in many instances the task of carrying suchluggage by hand can be tiring over an extended period of time.Accordingly, wheels were attached to such articles of luggage tofacilitate their transport. The user of the luggage need only pull theluggage behind them as it rolls on its wheels.

By their nature, the wheels of such wheeled luggage protrude below theluggage, at least to some degree, in order to preclude dragging somefixed part of the luggage across the underlying surface. This generallyworks acceptably well on reasonably level surfaces, but the protrudingwheels are an impedance when such luggage is dragged up or over astepped inclined surface, as in transporting the luggage up a flight ofstairs. Attempting to drag such wheeled luggage up a stepped incline,such as a flight of stairs, generally results in the protruding wheelscatching upon the nose of each stair tread and greatly interferes withthe transport of the luggage. Unless some other means is provided tofacilitate the transport of the luggage up the stairs, the persontransporting the luggage must resort to lifting the luggage and carryingit up the stairs.

Thus, luggage sliders solving the aforementioned problems are desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The luggage sliders include a number of different embodiments, eachadapted to facilitate the movement of an article of luggage,particularly wheeled luggage, up a stepped incline, such as a flight ofstairs or the like. Some of the sliders are pivotally extendible andretractable. Others are telescopically extendible and retractable. Stillothers are pivotally attached to one edge of the article, and pivotallyfold against a surface of the article for storage. Still others may beadjustably clamped about the base of the article. Still others arepivotally attached about a wheel axle to rotate and lie beneath thewheel for operation. Still others may be removably attached directly tothe wheels of the luggage, cart, or other wheeled article. Still othersare pivotally attached to a point on the luggage, and telescopicallyextend to project below the wheel for use. Some embodiments are formedof one or more flat, rigid sheets or planks of material, while otherembodiments are formed of rigid rods of metal or other suitablematerial. All embodiments are preferably formed with a lower surface(i.e., the surface that comes into contact with the underlying surfaceover which the luggage is moved) having a relatively low coefficient offriction. Those embodiments that articulate or otherwise movably deploymay be actuated by a pedal or the like disposed upon the luggage.

These and other features of the present invention will become readilyapparent upon further review of the following specification anddrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic environmental right side elevation view of afirst embodiment of a luggage slider according to the present inventionadapted for a two-wheeled roll-around suitcase or the like, illustratingits configuration and function.

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic environmental right side elevation view of asecond embodiment of a luggage slider according to the presentinvention, adapted for a four-wheeled cart or the like, illustrating itsconfiguration and function.

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic right side elevation view of a third embodimentof a luggage slider according to the present invention, wherein theslider pivotally folds against the forward or lower surface of theluggage for storage.

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic right side elevation view of a fourthembodiment of a luggage slider according to the present invention,wherein the slider pivotally folds against the bottom or rear surface ofthe luggage for storage.

FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic right side elevation view in section of a fifthembodiment of a luggage slider according to the present invention,wherein the slider is extensibly retractable in a receptacle of theforward or lower surface of the luggage.

FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic front elevation view of a sixth embodiment of aluggage slider according to the present invention, wherein the luggageincludes two relatively narrow and parallel extensibly retractablesliders.

FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic front elevation view of a seventh embodiment ofa luggage slider according to the present invention, wherein the slideris pivotally disposed upon the lower forward edge of the luggage.

FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic bottom plan view of an eighth embodiment of aluggage slider according to the present invention, wherein the slider isdisposed beneath a four wheeled cart or the like and has mutuallyopposed, extensibly retractable forward and rearward extensions.

FIG. 9 is a bottom perspective view of a ninth embodiment of a luggageslider according to the present invention, wherein the slider isremovably installable upon the bottom of a trunk or similar object.

FIG. 10 is a bottom plan view of a tenth embodiment of a luggage slideraccording to the present invention, wherein two sliders are pivotallyand telescopically disposed upon the bottom of the luggage.

FIG. 11 is bottom plan view of an eleventh embodiment of a luggageslider according to the present invention, wherein two mutually opposedsliders comprising rigid U-shaped bars are retractably extendible fromthe bottom of a cart or the like.

FIG. 12 is a diagrammatic environmental right side elevation view of atwelfth embodiment of a luggage slider according to the presentinvention, wherein a luggage slider is pivotally disposed about the axleof a wheeled suitcase or the like for deployment over each wheel.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a thirteenth embodiment of a luggageslider according to the present invention, wherein a slider is removablysecurable to each wheel of a wheeled suitcase or the like.

FIG. 14 is a diagrammatic right side elevation view of a fourteenthembodiment of a luggage slider according to the present invention,wherein a slider is pivotally attached to the bottom or forward surfaceof the wheeled luggage for selective extension below the plane of thewheels.

Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistentlythroughout the attached drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The luggage sliders include a number of different embodiments, allfacilitating the movement of an article of wheeled luggage or the likeup a flight of stairs or other stepped incline. Each embodiment includesat least one slider surface disposed beneath the wheels, with the lowerperipheries of the wheels protruding only slightly below the undersideof the slider. In this manner, the luggage is supported by the slider asit is pulled up the incline, with the interference of the wheels as theycontact the noses or edges of the treads being minimized by their veryslight protrusion below the lower surface of the slider.

FIG. 1 of the drawings provides a right side elevation view of a firstembodiment 100 of the luggage slider, wherein the slider comprises aflat skid or plate 102 affixed to the underside U1 of an article ofwheeled luggage L1 adjacent to the two wheels W. While only a singlewheel W is illustrated in the right side view of FIG. 1, it will beunderstood that an identical left wheel is provided directly behind theillustrated right wheel in FIG. 1. The peripheries P of the two wheels Wextend below the underside U1 of the luggage L1, with the lower surface104 of the slider or skid 102 disposed between the underside U1 of theluggage L1 and the lowermost peripheries P of the two wheels W. Theperipheries P of the wheels W extend only slightly beyond or below thelower surface 104 of the slider or skid 102, such that the discontinuitypresented by the protrusion of the wheel peripheries P below the lowersurface 104 of the slider 102 is minimized. The lower surface 104 of theslider or skid 102 preferably has a low coefficient of friction, e.g., asmooth polished metal or plastic surface etc. The forward end 106 of theskid 102 is faired to avoid catching upon the noses of the stair treads,while the opposite rearward end 108 of the slider or skid 102 is curvedupwardly to smooth the transition over each step.

FIG. 2 provides a right side elevation view of a second embodiment 200of the luggage sliders in combination with an article of luggage L2. Inthe embodiment 200 of FIG. 2, luggage L2 comprises a wheeled cart havingforward and rearward pairs of wheels W, with the peripheries P of thewheels W extending slightly below the underside U2 of the cart. Theluggage or cart L2 is provided with a luggage slider or skid 202comprising a flat plate having a smooth lower surface 204 with a lowcoefficient of friction, as in the case of the luggage slider embodiment100 of FIG. 1. The luggage skid 202 has a forward end 206 that extendsbeyond the forward end of the luggage or cart L2, with an oppositerearward end 208 that extends beyond the rearward end of the luggage orcart L2. Each of the ends 206 and 208 is curved upwardly to smooth thetransition over each step.

FIG. 3 is a right side elevation view of a third embodiment 300 of theluggage slider in combination with an article of wheeled luggage L3,with the slider or skid 302 comprising a flat plate that is hinged orpivoted to the article of luggage L3 adjacent the wheel axle A thereof.The lower surface 304 comprises a smooth, low coefficient of frictionsurface that faces outward or downward to contact an underlying surfacewhen deployed as shown in solid lines in FIG. 3. The forward endarticulates from the underside U3 of the luggage L3, generally asindicated by the arcuate arrow in FIG. 3. The opposite rearward end ispivotally or hingedly attached to the luggage L3 adjacent the axle A ofthe wheels W using a conventional hinge, pivot rod, etc. A latchmechanism may be employed to hold the pivoting slider or skid 302 in itsdeployed position as shown in solid lines, or in its retracted positionas shown in broken lines. The mechanism may be actuated by an actuatorpedal 310 disposed near the lower end or bottom B3 of the luggage L3.

FIG. 4 illustrates a right side elevation view of a luggage sliderembodiment 400 similar to the embodiment 300 of FIG. 3, in combinationwith an article of wheeled luggage L4. The slider or skid 402 of FIG. 4is configured similarly to the slider or skid 302 of FIG. 3, having alow coefficient of friction lower surface 404 with a forward end 406 andan opposite rearward end 408 that is pivoted or hinged to the luggage L4adjacent the axle A thereof. However, rather than folding against theunderside U4 of the luggage L4, the hinge or pivot is disposed to theedge of the lower surface 404 of the slider or skid 402 such that theslider or skid 402 pivots in the opposite direction to fold against thebottom B4 of the wheeled luggage L4. A mechanism may be provided todeploy and fold the slider or skid 402, with the mechanism actuated byan actuator pedal 410 disposed near the lower end or bottom B4 of theluggage 14.

FIG. 5 provides a right side elevation view of a fifth embodiment 500 ofthe luggage slider in combination with an article of wheeled luggage L5,wherein the slider or skid 502 is selectively extendible and retractablefrom the luggage L5. The luggage L5 is shown in section, to illustratethe operation of the slider or skid 502. The skid or slider 502 has asimilar configuration to those skid or slider embodiments describedfurther above, i.e., a low friction lower surface 504, forward end 506,and opposite rearward end 508, with the wheels W of the luggage L5protruding slightly below the lower surface 504 of the skid 502 evenwhen the skid is deployed. The rearward end 508 may be smoothly roundedto facilitate passage over the underlying surface. Rather than beingimmovably affixed to the luggage L5, the skid 502 is selectivelydeployable from and retractable into a receptacle 512 permanently builtinto the underside U5 of the luggage L5. A mechanism may be provided toextend and retract the skid or slider 502, the mechanism being operatedby an actuator pedal 510.

FIG. 6 illustrates a front elevation view of another luggage slider andluggage combination embodiment, designated as slider or skid 602 andluggage L6. There are actually two laterally spaced skids 602 installedupon the underside U6 (shown as the facing side of the upright luggageL6, in FIG. 6) of the luggage L6. Each of the skids 602 includes a lower(forward facing, in FIG. 6) surface 604, a forward (or upper) end 606,and an opposite rearward (or lower) end 608. The two skids 602selectively extend from and retract into a pair of correspondingreceptacles 612 permanently built into the underside U6 of the luggageL6, much in the manner of the single flat plate skid 502 of FIG. 5. Thetwo skids 602 are shown in their retracted state in solid lines in FIG.6, with their lowermost extensions being slightly above the lowermostperipheries of the two wheels W. When the two skids 602 are extended, asshown in broken lines in FIG. 6, they extend slightly below or beyondthe peripheries of the two wheels W to provide sliding surfaces forpulling the luggage L6 over an uneven surface or flight of stairs.Rather than being configured as flat plates, the two skids 602 maycomprise rigid bars of metal or other suitable material. Extension andretraction is controlled by an actuator pedal 610 disposed near thebottom of the luggage L6.

FIG. 7 illustrates a front elevation view of an article of wheeledluggage L7 having another embodiment 700 of the luggage slider incombination therewith, designated as luggage slider or skid 702. Theluggage skid 702 is attached externally near the lowermost edge of theunderside U7 of the luggage L7 by a pivot 712. The luggage skid 702includes a smooth lower surface 704 having a low coefficient offriction, with the skid 702 having a forward end 706 (to the right inthe orientation of FIG. 7, when the skid is pivoted to its storageposition as shown in broken lines) and an opposite rearward end 708 (tothe left in FIG. 7, in broken lines). An actuator pedal 710 extends fromsome convenient location on the luggage L7, for the selective pivotaldeployment of the skid 702 to its operational position, as shown insolid lines, or to its storage position between the wheels W, as shownin broken lines in FIG. 7.

FIG. 8 is a bottom plan view of the underside U8 of an article ofluggage L8 with an eighth luggage slider embodiment 800 in combinationtherewith, wherein the luggage comprises cart having four wheels W. Inthis embodiment, a generally central receptacle 812 is provided alongthe underside U8 of the luggage L8 or cart, with the receptacle havingmutually opposed first and second ends 804 a and 804 b. The ends 804 aand 804 b may be oriented to the front or to the rear of the directionof travel of the luggage or cart L8, depending upon its direction oftravel. First and second skids 802 a and 802 b telescopically extendfrom the respective ends 804 a and 804 b of the receptacle 812, withtheir extensions shown in solid lines in FIG. 8. The skids 802 a and 802b may comprise flat plates, but extend on arms 808 formed of rigid bars.Extension and retraction may be by means of a mechanism operated by anactuation pedal (not shown in FIG. 8), similar to other embodimentsillustrated in previously described Figs.

FIG. 9 provides a perspective view of a ninth embodiment 900 having askid 902 removably attached to the underside U9 of an article of luggageL9, e.g., a box, chest, carton, etc. The skid 902 is oriented much likethe skid 802 of the embodiment 800 of FIG. 8, in that it has mutuallyopposed first and second ends 904 a and 904 b. The ends 904 a and 904 bmay be oriented to the front or to the rear of the direction of travelof the luggage or cart L9, depending upon its direction of travel. Whilethe skid 902 generally comprises a flat plate, the two ends 904 a and904 b may be curved upward to reduce the chances of the ends catchingupon some obstruction. First and second clamps, respectively 906 a and906 b, secure the skid 902 to corresponding brackets 908 a and 908 bthat attach removably to the corners of the underside U9 of the luggageL9. The brackets 908 a and 908 b are secured to the luggage L9 by meansof first and second elastic cords 910 a and 910 b.

FIG. 10 is an illustration of a tenth luggage slider embodiment 1000 incombination with an article of wheeled luggage L10. FIG. 10 provides abottom plan view of the bottom B10 of an article of wheeled luggage L10having wheels W, with first and second sliders or skids 1002 a and 1002b mounted to the bottom B10 of the luggage L10. Each of the skidstelescopically extends and retracts from respective sleeves 1004 a and1004 b, with the two sleeves being pivotally attached to pivots 1006 aand 1006 b attached to the bottom B10 of the luggage L10. The deployedor extended positions of the skids 1002 a and 1002 b and their sleeves1004 a and 1004 b are shown in solid lines in FIG. 10, with their stowedpositions being shown in broken lines.

FIG. 11 is a bottom plan view of an eleventh embodiment 1100 of theluggage sliders, with the embodiment 1100 being in combination with afour wheeled article of luggage or cart L11. The luggage sliders orskids 1102 a and 1102 b extend from opposite ends of the bottom B11 ofthe luggage cart L11, respectively comprising squared-off generallyU-shaped rigid bars. The captured ends 1104 a and 1104 b of the skidbars 1102 a and 1102 b telescope in and out of respective sleeves orreceptacles 1112 a and 1112 b that are permanently affixed to the bottomB11 of the luggage cart L11. The skid bars 1102 a, 1102 b are shown intheir extended, operable positions in solid lines and in their stowed orretracted positions in broken lines in FIG. 11.

FIG. 12 is a side elevation view of a twelfth embodiment 1200 of theluggage sliders, with an article of wheeled luggage L12 having a pairrotary mounted sliders or skids 1202 in combination therewith. Whileonly a single skid 1202 is shown in the right side elevation view ofFIG. 12, it will be seen that another identical skid 1202 will beinstalled on the opposite left side of the luggage L12, out of view inFIG. 12. The skid 1202 has an arcuate shape with turned-up ends, withits midpoint 1204 attached to a strut 1212 that is in turn pivotallyattached to the axle A that supports the wheels W of the wheeled luggageL12. The wheel W is free to rotate independently of the skid 1202 andits strut 1212. Thus, the strut 1212 and its attached skid 1202 are freeto pivot to a deployed position below the wheels W, as shown in solidlines in FIG. 12 to negotiate a flight of stairs or the like, or to astowed position above the wheels W for conveyance of the luggage L12 onits wheels W on a relatively flat surface.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a thirteenth embodiment 1300 of theluggage sliders, illustrating a pair of skids 1302 a and 1302 b thatremovably attach to the wheels W of the luggage L13. Each of the skids1302 a, 1302 b is curved, with an upturned forward end (the forward end1306 a of the first skid 1302 a is visible in FIG. 13) and an oppositeupturned rearward end 1308 a, 1308 b. A wheel attachment band,respectively 1310 a and 1310 b, extends upwardly from the center of eachof the skids. The wheel attachment bands fit snugly about the respectivewheels W and remain attached thereto for pulling the luggage L13 up astepped inclined surface or other uneven surface. The wheel attachmentbands may comprise elastic bands or may have some mechanical adjustmentto allow them to selectively grip their respective wheels as desired andto provide for their removal when not needed.

FIG. 14 is a right side elevation view illustrating a fourteenthembodiment 1400 of the luggage sliders, comprising an article of wheeledluggage L14 having a pair rotary mounted sliders or skids 1402 incombination therewith. While only a single skid 1402 is shown in theright side elevation view of FIG. 14, it will be seen that anotheridentical skid 1402 will be installed on the opposite left side of theluggage L14, out of view in FIG. 14. The skid 1402 has an arcuate shapewith a first or forward end 1404 attached to the luggage L14 by a pivot1410 and an opposite rearward end 1406. A telescoping extension andretraction strut 1412 is disposed between the rearward end 1406 (orrearward end portion) of the skid 1402, and the axle A that supports thewheels W of the wheeled luggage L14. When the strut 1412 is extended, itlowers the rearward portion 1408 of the skid 1402 below the lowerperiphery of the wheel W (shown in broken lines), thus lifting the wheelW clear of the underlying surface to allow the skid 1402 to bear againstthe underlying surface. When the strut 1412 is retracted, the rearwardportion 1408 of the skid 1402 is raised above the lower periphery of thewheel W, allowing the luggage L14 to be rolled upon its wheels forconveyance.

It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to theembodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodimentswithin the scope of the following claims.

1-20. (canceled) 21: A luggage slider for an article of wheeled luggage,the luggage having a bottom surface and a pair of wheels, each of thewheels having a periphery extending below the underside of the luggage,the luggage slider comprising: a pair of skids, each said skid having aforward end an a rear end, the forward end being pivotally secured to arespective side surface of the luggage; and a pair of telescoping strutseach having opposed first and second ends, the first end thereof beingsecured to a respective one of the rear ends of the pair of skids, thesecond end thereof being mounted on a respective axle of one of thewheels. 22: The luggage slider for an article of wheeled luggage asrecited in claim 21, wherein each said skid has an arcuate contour.